ottawa foodies

Every second Saturday throughout the year, the LCBO has a Vintages Wine Release of products available in limited quantities. From the Fall Harvest period (September) onward the Wineries and Merchants bottle or release from their cellars previous vintages, and as such the Vintages Releases improve up until about December 1st. By December 1st the best of the best are in the stores (including the Super Tuscans) so that clients can make their Christmas purchases.

The bi-weekly LCBO Wine Releases typically have a "theme" but at the same time some other products also are included. Today I was at the LCBO in time for opening (along with several other wine affectionados) so that I could ensure that I was able to get some of the more sought after bottles.

Today's Release featured Italian Amarones and Ripassos, that ranged in price from $ 17.95 to $ 56.95, and a drinkable timeframe from as early as today thru the next 3 to 5 years.

As with all releases, there were also some limited quantities of various wines from countries around the world.

Today Canada's offering included wines that are typically only available at the Vineyards:

Flat Rock Cellars Chardonnay 2006 = $ 16.95
Jackson-Triggs Proprietors' Grand Reserve Meritage 2005 = $ 24.95
Mike Weir Estate Cabernet / Shiraz 2005 = $ 25.20
Thirty Bench Red 2006 = $ 22.20

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To learn more about the LCBO Vintages Releases pick up a copy of the Release Catalogue at your local LCBO (catalogues are available one week before each Release and as long as quantities last). And for detailed info from knowledgeable Wine Critics so you can get an idea of what wines in each Release are good values... check out / subscribe to (FREE) www.winecurrent.com

A couple of additional notes:

You don't need to go to an LCBO to see the catalogue for the next release. You can read them online, or get on their mailing list and have them sent to you in advance of the release. More details at:
www.vintages.com

For some other free newsletters that review wines from the upcoming release (among others), see rodphillipsonwine.com and www.ontariowinereview.com.

bdm - You are absolutely right about the LCBO online resource, infact the website has a lot of great info for wine lovers.

Did you buy anything at the Release today?

Yep, I did venture out into the rain to grab a few: a couple bottles of the Flat Rock Chardonnay, and single bottles of the Thirty Bench Red, Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc, Kim Crawford Pinot Noir, and my big splurge, the Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay. I've had all of these (from previous vintages) before, so I stayed well within my comfort zone. Come to think of it, I've actually visited all of those wineries in person, with the exception of Dog Point.

Cheers!

"The Man" and I picked up several bottles: Canadians including the Flat Rock Chardonnay, the Jackson-Triggs Proprietors Grand Reserve Meritage, the Thirty Bench Red, and an Australian "Lucky Country" Shiraz, as well as a couple of the Carmeneres, and some of the Malbecs. Some of the above will be drank short-term, others will be on the 3 to 5 year plan.

By the time the next release is announced we'll be able to weigh which Big Reds from the last few releases we want to purchase and put down in the cellar for long term (as one can only afford so many of these "special" vintages each year)... we are awaiting the Tuscans in particular.

Also, if you live outside of they area the LCBO considers "Ottawa" (ie: Manotick, Stittsville), you can actually place an order in advance to be picked up in store. The deadline is the preceeding Tuesday at noon.

If you like a bottle and it's sold out here in town and there's plenty left elsewhere in the Province (this happens all the time), go into your local LCBO and they can transfer as many bottles as you like. It generally takes 2 business days.

This weekend I picked up the Perle d'Ivoire sparkling, the sparkling Shiraz from the last release and the Santa Carolina Gran Reserva Carmenere.

I tend to decide on my purchases after consulting both Rod Phillips' reviews and Vic Harradine's reviews. I find that between them, I get a good idea of whether or not I'll like the wine.

Nanook - Yes I was aware of the pre-ordering and transfer policies. Have used the transfer on occasion (great if the only place the wine is is outside of a distance one is willing to drive), but a lot of times we just ask our "wine guy" at the LCBO to call ahead to the other store, to ensure it is actually in stock (sometimes we've discovered that the computer and the inventory in the store don't match) then we go pick it up the same day.

I recently discovered Carmenere, and I really like it. I purchased a bottle of the Casa Silva Reserva Carmenere and several of the Santa Carolina Gran Reserva. Winecurrent.com rated the Santa Carolina as the best pick for value this release... 4-1/2 Stars and under $ 15.00